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MASSACHUSETTS COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS ATHLETICS

Men’s Soccer Nipped by Penn State Behrend in Season Opener

MCLA fell to Penn State Behrend 3-1 this afternoon in the opening match of the Herb Lauffer Memorial Soccer Tournament.

Avery Manzolini picked up the Trailblazers' lone goal in a 3-1 loss to Penn State Behrend
Avery Manzolini picked up the Trailblazers' lone goal in a 3-1 loss to Penn State Behrend
August 31, 2024
Video Box Score

ERIE, Pa.—The Men's Soccer team kicked off their 2024 season this afternoon at the Herb Lauffer Memorial Soccer Tournament hosted by Penn State Behrend. The Trailblazers met the hosts and tied the game up at one all early in the second half before allowing two more second-half goals to fall 3-1.

THE BASICS:

  • Date: Saturday, August 31, 2024
  • Score: MCLA 1, Penn State Behrend 3
  • Records: MCLA Trailblazers 0-1-0 (MASCAC 0-0-0) | Penn State Behrend Lions 1-0-0 (ECAC 0-0-0)
  • Series History: First-ever meeting

HOW IT HAPPENED

  • Host Penn State Behrend opened the scoring when Blake Cooper made the most of a breakaway opportunity in the 18th minute. Jacob Gajewski was credited with an assist on the goal. The game would remain scoreless for the remainder of the first half.
  • Avery Manzolini (New Lebanon, NY) evened the game for the Trailblazers early in the second half, scoring off a pass from Brandon Balcazar (Pittsfield, MA) in the 51st minute.
  • The Lions retook the lead when Owen Petersen found the back of the goal off a corner kick by (New Lebanon, NY).
  • Penn State added an insurance goal in the 78th minute when Petersen assisted on a goal by Nate Coleman, pushing the score to its final result of 3-1.
  • MCLA had one final scoring opportunity after Ryan Taylor stopped a shot by John Ziobro in the 88th minute to get the game going the other way, but a final-minute shot by the Trailblazers went wide.
  • With the Lions enjoying a 10-1 advantage in shots on goal, Penn State's goalkeeper Evan Dougal picked up the win to improve to 1-0-0 despite not making a save. MCLA's keeper Taylor saw his record drop to 0-1-0 after making six saves on nine shots on goal. Ronan Connors (Hamilton, MA) was also credited with a defensive save early in the first half.

UP NEXT:

On Sunday, MCLA will be back in action when they wrap up the Herb Lauffer Memorial Soccer Tournament with a non-conference matchup with the Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets. The teams will take the pitch for a noon kickoff.